[wisewoman]

I have had a herd of rabbits and gave most of them away when my spouse had a spinal tumor. We were unsure of the outcome because it was C4, C5, He did well but since then we have eliminated a lot of other rabbits. I have given to friends. The angoras went to spinners, were worth money but... I had show bunnies of various breeds.

Here is the point. My spouse has accused me of neglecting my rabbits, had only 4 left. One was lossing weight like mad, my giant french lop and then was just dead no matter how much I fed him. There is another dead Long haired wooly/angora gross in his cage, I don't do well with burying animals and hubby has an eye emergency today.

I love my bunnies. I love my dogs, love the goats. I am a sucker for animals. I have NEVER EVER let a cat or dog reproduce in my care. They have all been fixed. I keep the vet care up etc.

In Jan 2 dogs were poisoned by a neighbor with antifreeze. They died and it cost $2000. One was a dog hubby hiked with all of the time and one was his old dog, very old. I got him a golden-doodle that was from a Pennalvania puppy mill. She was very ill and every bone showed. She was a mission of mercy, more vet bills. Coxcidia, pneumonia, anemia... Well, my daughter has wanted a lab since our anxient Golden Retriever died several years ago now. We knew someone with a full golden and in comes this male, not fixed, and hubby does NOTHING to avoid the resulting courtship and pregnancy. His golden-doodle is only about 10-11 months. When I enquired about getting her spayed I was told it would be $400.00 because she was bread. Well, I can't do that, we are living on nothing. So, daughter is getting her little boy fixed finally, and little girl is pregnant. Not only that but he would take her on hikes and she would get covered with nettles and he would never clean her up. My right arm is not working hardly at all and yet I had to cut out the nettles and try to sooth her.

I am angry, she came up tonight and layed next to the little one on the bed, I had bathed her this a.m. as she was mud from head to toe. It was not easy but besides getting a bath myself and washing the bathroom down from end to end she did well. I had asked him to please brush her after I clipped. It hurts me to use my arm in that way. He never did so here I am cutting mats out and a piece of bunny poo from her ear. She will have puppies soon and I am worried about her but I also feel she is neglected.

I brought my two surving rabbits, Mini lops to the porch. I had bottle fed them as babies and the brother is fixed. I put them there so I could spoil them daily with black sunflower seeds and KIX cereal. And a friend gave me another French Lop Buck. He is very shy and he lives in the kitchen. He needs to get used to us.

So what's the deal, I am responsible for all living things around here? He can't use scissors or a brush? I neglected MY animals. Let me tell you my dogs hardly leave my side. His dog is so awesome and she needs a special diet and care and he is out to lunch. It's getting to where I feel like I will have to hire that kind of care done and I have NO money.

He did the same thing with a wonderful dog he brought into the relationship. I did the trimming and the flea and tick prevention. Before Heart worm. He never bothered. What can I do to make him pay attention and give proper care? I can't do it right now.

[Rhapsody]

((((((( HUGS ))))))) ~ ~ ~ ~ ((((((( HUGS )))))))

I am SORRY!!!

[wisewoman]

Thanks, my guilt over all of this is tremendous. I am so worried about the young golden doodle because her partner is a lot bigger!!!! Nature does have it's way and maybe there will be perfect people who want to love and fix the babies asap. BTW, proud pappa has started marking everywhere in the house. That needs to STOP! He is a great fella, just needs obediance and time.

[Rapunzel]

I know what you mean. I feel guilty about what I haven't been able to do with my animals, but I needed more help than I was able to get. And I get lectured about how the animals hurt us.

Once upon a time everyone had animals. If you wanted milk, eggs, etc. you had to have a way to produce it. If you wanted clothes you would have to grow the wool, spin it, weave it, etc. These days people who have means usually don't want to be bothered and people who want to have animals and produce for themselves can't afford to do it right, and have to compromise somewhere or do without. The situation we are in as a civilization terrifies me. It is so mixed up.

You are a good animal lover, and you do what you can do. I don't know how to get people to help you when you need help. If they don't want to or don't think it is their job, they probably aren't going to. I wonder if you could get a 4-H club to put in some time helping you and get some hands on experience.

I'm sure the puppies will be beautiful and someone will want them. You will find the right people. And you have given homes to more animals than this litter of puppies, so your net contribution is definitely positive. They will be special and somebody will be glad that they were born. The best dogs and cats I have known were results of unplanned breedings, but I'm sure glad that they did happen. I still feel guilty for the litters that have been born under my care though, because I should have done better than that.

[wisewoman]

Thanks Wendy. You really are helpful. I wanted to say that the new french lop was supposed to be black licorice or licorice root and today in therapy my little one said his name was twizzler, as in the licorice, and so it sticks.

I am worried about the mom to be, too young, too small, beautiful but sick runt when she was little. I get the best food available but will consult with vet on her nutritional needs. She is laying on kid's bed next to mine sleeping. I love her.

I do have 4-H friends I can call on to help, thanks for the idea.

[JustAPixie]

((((((((((((((((((( ww )))))))))))))))))))

I can see how you can struggle with everything! Raising pets is like riasing kids.... except they never get old enough to look after themselves! I am cat crazy... had 9 at one time, down to four now. I have learned that animals also reacts to stress. when I got sick the one also stopped eating and would lie on my bed just staring at me the whole time!

[wisewoman]

Ha Ha, how dear, My biggest babies of the canine variety lie on top of me and guard me when I am ill. They are awesome.